SkillCat Review: What It Covers for PLC and Maintenance Training (and Alternatives)

Short answer: SkillCat is a mobile-first trade-training app from SkillCat, Inc. It is strongest for HVAC and EPA 608 certification, and it also covers electrical, plumbing, appliance repair and building maintenance. It costs $10 a month.

For PLCs, SkillCat has one course: Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers, listed as 7 lessons and about 3 hours and aimed at HVAC technicians. That is a useful orientation. It is not a full PLC programming path, and we found no ladder-logic editor, PLC simulator or named PLC platform (Allen-Bradley, Siemens) on SkillCat's site.

If PLCs are your goal, treat SkillCat as a cheap add-on for HVAC/electrical basics. Pair it with hands-on PLC practice.

Reviewed October 25, 2026 using SkillCat's own website and app-store listings (links below). We did not take the course behind the login, so we describe it only from SkillCat's published course page. Prices and catalogues change; check SkillCat's pricing page before you subscribe.

Ownership disclosure: PLC Programming and PLC Simulation Software are run by the same team. Our product is listed among the alternatives, with its limits and prices stated.

What SkillCat is

SkillCat describes itself as "Online, Accredited Certifications for the Trades." Its site lists programmes for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, maintenance and appliance repair, plus courses for welding inspection, solar, forklift and other trades.

According to SkillCat:

• It is accredited by IACET and offers IACET CEUs.
• The EPA has approved it to offer the EPA 608 test online with a webcam proctor.
• It offers "3D Virtual Simulations that mimic real-life experiences" alongside video lessons, quizzes, live courses and career-support mentors.

SkillCat states it has trained "more than 300,000" trade workers. Other SkillCat pages and the app stores say 500,000+, so treat the exact number as marketing.

What SkillCat covers for PLCs

SkillCat's PLC course page lists:

• Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers, 7 lessons, 3 hours: Overview of PLCs, Components of a PLC System, Programming Languages in PLC (Parts 1 and 2), Advanced PLC Programming Techniques, Developing a PLC System, and Safety in PLC Systems.
• Target learner: "both entry-level and established HVAC technicians."
• Delivery: self-paced on mobile, in English and Spanish, with a SkillCat completion certificate.

The course description promises "practical experience by writing and implementing basic PLC programs." We could not see from the public page how that practice works inside the app.

What we did not find on SkillCat's site:

• a second or advanced PLC course
• a PLC certificate programme
• Allen-Bradley/Studio 5000 or Siemens/TIA Portal content
• a ladder-logic editor or PLC simulator
• motor-starter, VFD or sensor courses aimed at industrial controls

Nearby courses that help a future controls tech include Control Systems – Theory and Components, Basic Electrical Systems & Controls, Motor Circuit Calculations, Types of Electrical Motors, electrical troubleshooting, wiring diagrams and reading electrical drawings. Most of these are written for HVAC and building trades.

What SkillCat costs (as published)

SkillCat's pricing page lists a SkillCat Membership at $10/month after a free trial. On October 25, 2026 the same page said "3-Days Free" in one place and "14 Days Trial. No Credit Card Required" in a banner, so check the trial length at sign-up. The iOS App Store listing also shows a $96 annual in-app subscription.

Items SkillCat prices separately include:

• NATE Ready to Work exam: $60 per first attempt in the iOS app.
• OSHA-10: $50 for active subscribers. SkillCat says this certificate is issued through an approved third-party provider.

EPA 608 certification is marketed as included for $10, with four attempts.

What SkillCat does well

• Very low cost of entry. At $10/month it is one of the cheapest structured trade-training options in the US.
• Real credentials for HVAC. EPA 608 (proctored online) and NATE Ready to Work access are genuine industry credentials, not just completion badges.
• Mobile-first. The lessons fit around a work schedule, and Spanish is available for many courses.
• Broad trade coverage. It is useful if you are moving between HVAC, electrical and maintenance roles.
• Strong app ratings. The App Store shows 4.9 from about 10,000 ratings and Google Play about 4.9 from about 7,000 (October 2026).

Where SkillCat falls short for PLC learners

• One introductory PLC course. Three hours is enough to learn the vocabulary, but not to write and troubleshoot real ladder logic.
• No named PLC platform. US maintenance and controls job postings usually name Allen-Bradley or Siemens. Nothing we found on SkillCat targets those workflows.
• HVAC framing. The PLC and controls courses are written for HVAC technicians, not industrial maintenance or manufacturing.
• No interview-style PLC practice. Employers test reading ladder, tracing I/O and fault finding. You need repetitions on those tasks somewhere else.

Alternatives for deeper PLC and maintenance training

Choose by the gap you need to close:

For a broader comparison see best PLC training programs and free PLC courses.

Who should use SkillCat?

• Good fit: HVAC or building-maintenance techs who want EPA 608, NATE prep or broad trade basics cheaply, plus a first look at what a PLC is.
• Partial fit: electricians and maintenance techs moving towards controls. Use SkillCat for basics and something hands-on for ladder logic.
• Poor fit as your only resource: anyone targeting a PLC technician or controls job. You will need platform-specific practice and troubleshooting repetitions.

Frequently asked questions

Does SkillCat teach PLC programming?

It has one introductory course, Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers (7 lessons, about 3 hours), aimed at HVAC technicians. We found no advanced PLC courses, PLC certificate programme or PLC simulator on SkillCat's site.

Is SkillCat legit?

Yes. It is an operating US company (SkillCat, Inc.) with IACET accreditation listed on its site. It is EPA-approved to proctor the 608 exam online, and its apps are highly rated on both stores. Its completion certificates are SkillCat certificates; industry credentials such as EPA 608, NATE and OSHA-10 are separate.

How much does SkillCat cost?

SkillCat's pricing page lists $10/month after a free trial; check the trial length, which differed across the page in October 2026. The iOS listing also shows a $96 annual option. Some exams, such as NATE Ready to Work, are paid separately.

What is a good SkillCat alternative for PLCs?

For hands-on ladder practice, use a PLC simulator with checked exercises, then add free vendor software for the platform local employers use. For a credential, look at community-college or employer programmes.

Sources

• SkillCat homepage, about, pricing and accreditation
• SkillCat: Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers
• SkillCat: Control Systems – Theory and Components
• SkillCat EPA 608, OSHA-10 and NATE pages
• SkillCat on the App Store and Google Play

Related reading

• PLC training programs compared
• How to get a PLC job with no experience
• Maintenance technician training program guide
• PLC training cost
• TPC Training review
• Maintenance technician interview questions